Go Paddle Day 2026 – A Practical Guide to Building Local Participation

Recorded May 13, 2026

Growing paddlesports participation doesn't require a large budget or a major festival. Sometimes all it takes is creating a welcoming opportunity for someone to experience paddling for the first time.

In this Paddlesports Trade Coalition webinar, members of the PTC Best Practices Committee and the Go Paddle Day Committee share practical strategies, free planning resources, and proven best practices to help retailers, outfitters, community organizations, manufacturers, instructors, and volunteers host successful local paddling events. You'll also hear updates from PTC Chairperson Stig Larsson on PTC Colab 2026, board initiatives, and opportunities to strengthen collaboration across the paddlesports industry.

The second half of the webinar features members of the NASBLA Paddlesports Committee, who explain how integrating safety into every customer interaction not only protects participants but also strengthens businesses by building trust, increasing customer confidence, and encouraging repeat participation.

🎯 What You'll Hear

• How Go Paddle Day helps introduce more people to paddlesports through simple, welcoming local events
• Practical guidance for planning events that match your organization's size, resources, and volunteer capacity
• Free planning tools including event guides, checklists, emergency action plans, and safety resources
• Why participant experience, confidence, and community connections matter more than the size of an event
• How retailers, outfitters, clubs, instructors, manufacturers, and volunteers can work together to grow participation
• Why safety is good for business, and how it builds customer trust, loyalty, and long-term participation
• How state boating agencies and the NASBLA Paddlesports Committee can become valuable partners in growing paddlesports locally

Whether you're hosting your first community paddle or looking to expand an established event, this webinar provides practical ideas, ready-to-use resources, and collaborative strategies to help more people discover paddlesports and inspire them to keep coming back.

Who Should Watch

• Retailers and Outfitters
• Community Organizations and Paddle Clubs
• Manufacturers and Brands
• Sales Representatives
• Parks and Recreation Professionals
• Instructors and Trip Leaders
• State Boating Agencies
• Water Trail Organizations
• Volunteers planning community paddling events

Featuring

Pamela Dillon – PTC Staff Member (Host)

Stig Larsson – Chairperson, Paddlesports Trade Coalition & Founder, Level Six

Patrick Quinney – Chair, PTC Best Practices Committee & Level Six

Bahen Privett – PTC Board Member; Co-Chair, Go Paddle Day Committee & Southeastern Paddlesports

Jonathan Kahn – Co-Chair, Go Paddle Day Committee & Confluence Kayaks / CKS Online

Jason Eccles – PTC Board Member & Bending Branches & Aqua Bound

Rob Bossen – PTC Board Member & Blue Water Trading

Special Guests

Lili Colby – Mustang Survival & PTC Board Member

Jeff Moag – Content Director, Water Sports Foundation & NASBLA Paddlesports Committee

Craig Watson – Ohio Department of Natural Resources & Vice Chair, NASBLA Paddlesports Committee